REVIEW: MudPuppy.com

A few of my daughters favorite things? Ballerina’s, stickers and the color pink (she gets this honestly). So it was no surprise when she picked these two (2) items sent to us, for review, from MudPuppy.com who are taking part in the 2010 Birthday Gift Guide: For Children
 
The first one is a the Fun and Dance Sticker Set Play Scene and the other was Dreams, Thoughts and Secrets Diary complete with it’s own lock & key.

Dreams, Thoughts & Secrets Diary

With her just learning how to write I had to explain what a diary was to make certain this is what she wanted. She was very persistent in her desire to have it as she said, “But it has a key, it’s pink and it has dancers” as if that should have immediately sealed the deal.

Since it was her idea, I let her go with it and the moment it came in the mail she has not parted ways with it. In fact, she carries it around in her personalized lunchbox. I had to wonder if this was any idea of what I should expect from her when she was a teenager, but since she is turning five (5) years old I figured I should let things be as they are.

She has since drawn quite a few pictures and “written” a letter to her once favorite bus driver, for pre-school, Miss Mel. According to Alexis she told Miss Mel how much she misses seeing & talking to her; it touched my heart as Miss Mel was always so kind to her.

Now I can tell Alexis that her first diary entry was a letter she wrote to her favorite pre-school bus driver. And trust in the fact that this will become an item that will go in Alexis’ memory box for her to refer to someday.

Until then, I have every intention of buying her, her first keychain to keep her key on. This really seems to be important to her. And it gives this Mommy an opportunity to teach her about responsibility. Don’t worry though, I have a back-up key in safe keeping. Thank goodness there were two keys that came with it. A little more specific information in regard to what the diary entails:

Colored padlock with 2 keys 192 lined pages 4 x 5-3/4″ For ages 4+

Fun & Dance Sticker Set Play Scene

Fill up the practice space with dancers. Ballet, modern, or jazz–you decide. Illustrations by John & Wendy. With over 50 vinyl stickers to choose from, this play scene is not only portable fun for children, it’s educational too!
 

Sticker board with handle, closed, measures 9 x 12″ 50 reusable stickers Ages 3+

I have to be honest, as usual, and just bring up that I really didn’t think this particular sticker play scene would keep her all that interested after one-time-play.

However, it’s been the source for hours of play time and she seems to really want to care for the stickers  (she had me put them in a plastic storage bag for sake-keeping).

It has allowed her to create play scenes and tell me a story that goes along with it thus truly allowing her to utilize her imagination; and what an imagination she has! She has named each of the dancers and whose best friends with who already.

Disclosure: Per the FTC regulations and guidelines it is my duty to disclose that I did receive a product, for free, so a review could be completed. Receiving a product for free does not alter my opinion as stated here on Unconditional Mom.

REVIEW: Frecklebox.com

Sometimes the best gifts are those that we feel are more personal, unique or creative. My daughter picked this personalized lunch box; and what she wanted it to have put on it.

Frecklebox.com is part of the 2010 Birthday Gift Guide: For Children on Unconditional Mom. I had previously looked at their website and just fell in awe at the products that they offered. It took my daughter about 45 minutes of surfing their site to finally settle on one product… the options are plenty & the cute factor is high!

When we received the lunchbox it was so much more than I had anticipated. The quality is truly wonderful. The personalization makes it appear as if that is how the lunchbox was originally created; no stickers, transparent layering, etc.

In fact, her name was on all four (4) sides - not just one. It seems Frecklebox.com knows the importance of giving it that extra ‘oomph’ and they do it so well. It’s almost too cute to use, but I wouldn’t do that to my daughter, as she adores it. I know it’s one of those things that she will never part with. Someday, when she’s 16 I’ll find it jam packed full of love letters from various boys or special memorabilia that she has saved over the years such as concert ticket stubs and then some.

Frecklebox.com even sent me a special surprise of my own: a personalized journal. My name was on the inside cover and every page there after. Again, they got it right with going the extra mile! I have shown it to everyone…

This goes to show that their personalized gifts aren’t just for children - they can be for anyone! It’s been a long time since I’ve received a gift with my name on it and it made me appreciate it that much more.

Disclosure: Per the FTC regulations and guidelines it is my duty to disclose that I did receive a product, for free, so a review could be completed. Receiving a product for free does not alter my opinion as stated here on Unconditional Mom. 

REVIEW: Zooniwear.com Mop Top Hat

MOP TOP HAT

Introduction:

“Our Mop Top hats feature one-of-a-kind designs that are guaranteed to turn heads! Each hat is handknit with love and care from custom-made cotton yarn or bamboo yarn. Lined with soft fleece or jersey, our hats provide maximum warmth and comfort for your child. These hats make the perfect finishing touch to any outfit!”

Attempting to select a favorite of Zonni’s mop top hats was difficult. Just look at the Purple Reign Mop Top… hello?! It’s so cute!  I couldn’t wait to see Alexis in it with her bright blue eyes and beautiful dark blond hair.

And just look at her!

We took the hat out of the package, together, and realized that a picture on the website does not do this hat any justice at all. In fact, the picture of my daughter in it doesn’t do it any justice either. To actually touch and/or wear this hat is what does it justice. Then you’re left with feeling that you’re the only one who knows about this hat and almost, I did say almost, don’t want to let the world in on your little secret.

With that said, it really left me feeling a little uneasy as to how I could ever write a review on something that is just so… CUUUUTE! Okay, see? There’s proof. That is the first time I have ever stretched out a word in one of my reviews. That has to tell you something.

As you can plainly see Alexis wasted no time in putting it on and demanding a picture taken. So much so that she didn’t allow me to put it on completely right, but even with that, it’s alluring.

The mop top is high quality; this is definitely not one of those hats that will wear out easily. And it fits so nicely! It reads that it’s 2-5 years old, but she’s going on 5 and you see how well it fits. It’s made in a way that even if on a smaller head it won’t be so big as to cover their eyes and it will still rest nicely on top of their heads.

It’s so warm. With the freezing temperatures I’ll be confident that her ears will be nice and toasty. I would love nothing more than to see Zooni make coats to match their mop top hats - I would be the first in line to purchase one.

We’ll be holding on to this hat for years - no questions about it!

Too boot - now I want one for me! This is a hat I would actually wear… and I don’t wear hats.

Disclosure: Per the FTC regulations and guidelines it is my duty to disclose that I did receive a product, for free, so a review could be completed. Receiving a product for free does not alter my opinion as stated here on Unconditional Mom. 

REVIEW: Joovy.com Toy Caboose & Toy Booster Seat

CABOOSE STAND-ON TANDEM STROLLER

Prior to Christmas, my daughter was the proud owner of over 20 baby dolls. As I’ve admitted she is very spoiled and I have no shame in that whatsoever. With that many baby dolls a little girl has to have the baby doll furniture too boot. We have a stroller, baby bed, bunk baby bed, 2 play yards, a car seat, high chair and a walker.

As mentioned - prior to Christmas she had over 20 baby dolls. Now she is down to 10. Sometimes a mother has to realize that there can be too much of a good thing.

With all of my experience and observation with those aforementioned doll furniture I can tell you, first-hand, just how brutal a little girl of 2, 3 and 4 can be on them. Because of this I have bought those same items again and again. This can get expensive, but we have to have somewhere to put all of those babies!

Since then I have discovered Joovy. Joovy is a company that designs and manufactures strollers for real babies. You know, those ones that actually breathe, poop, pee, burp, etc. So what does this have to do with baby dolls?

Joovy also makes strollers for little girls baby dolls, stuff animals, etc. Yet, not your average, made of cheap plastic, run-of-the-mill strollers. Their toy strollers are made in a real stroller factory - they are literally miniature versions of the real thing!

When we, my daughter & I, received this stroller I can not begin to express just how much in awe I was. I believe the thought that went through my head was, “You’ve got to be kidding me”. The weight of it, alone, immediately told me that this was not some cheaply made stroller that a lot of stores sell. Again, this was the real thing and only a smaller version of it.

It did require some assembly, but it was so easy to accomplish, and no tools required. Alexis, my daughter, was running off to gather some baby dolls from her room by the time I had it all set-up.

Her reaction upon seeing it complete: “Wow, Mommy! It’s so neat!!!”

I had to agree with her - it’s quite impressive. I don’t know that I could talk it up enough. It’s the equivalent of an expensive foreign car in the doll strollers of the world. Every single detail is incredible. They even have a car seat that they sell separately, too match!

The one thing that stands out, outside of the amazing durabilty, is the fact that this stroller actually collapses exactly like a real stroller. Can we say, “Collapse and slide under the bed for storage purposes, please?”
Thank you, Joovy! No, seriously, thank you. You’ve made all other baby doll strollers obsolete in my opinion…and it doesn’t get any more honest than that!

With that said, the Caboose isn’t the only toy that Joovy makes… yes, there’s more!

Introducing the Joovy Toy Booster Seat. Yet again, it’s a miniature of the real thing too! “Joovy has developed the first doll car seat that helps children understand the importance of good passenger safety, without sacrificing play-time fun. Children learn to imitate the role of a caring and responsible parent as they safely secure a favorite doll or stuffed toy into the doll car seat. And parents find that their child is more cooperative about using their own car seat as a result!”

So, not only is it sturdy, but it’s also an educational tool? It certainly is. To give you some insight:

Washable fabric cover removes easily for cleaning

Attaches to vehicle seat using a seat belt or the LATCH car restraint system. Can be easily released for playtime activities

Crash tested Doll Booster Car Seat includes real 5-Point safety harness

5-Point harness is fully adjustable for height and width. Fits dolls or stuffed toys 12 to 20 inches in length

Functional 5-Point harness is fully adjustable for height and width. Fits dolls or stuffed toys from 12 to 20 inches in length

Unit is crash tested for passenger safety

Do children actually like it? Wellll, what if I told you my daughter fell asleep on the floor next to it last night?

And you thought I was kidding!

Both of these products have received the National Parenting Center Seal of Approval Award and are on sale with free shipping currently on Joovy.com. The Caboose is on sale for $59.00 and the Booster Seat for $29.00.

Disclosure: Per the FTC regulations and guidelines it is my duty to disclose that I did receive a product, for free, so a review could be completed. Receiving a product for free does not alter my opinion as stated here on Unconditional Mom. 

REVIEW: PinkChicken.com Estelle Dress

As part of the 2010 Birthday Gift Guide: For Children, here on Unconditional Mom, PinkChicken.com was a company that I had to include. Pink Chicken is designed and owned by Stacey Fraser, a 15-year fashion veteran (babyGap, Tommy Hilfiger, Old Navy, Ralph Lauren) and mother-of-two. They are based out of New York, NY and have been open for the last three (3) years.

I had heard about them awhile back and knew I wanted to get my daughter into one of their dresses…and I’m so glad that I did.

I’d like to introduce the readers of Unconditional Mom to a soon-to-be-released dress called the Estelle. These won’t be available until February 1st, 2010 for the Spring line so it allows me perfect opportunity to familiarize you with this product.

If there is anything that most little girls adore - it’s a beautiful dress.

PinkChicken.com has designed a dress that any little girl will love. As soon as Alexis took it out of the package her eyes lit up. For some reason, she calls it her “coconut dress”, but I’m not quite sure where that came from as there’s not a coconut any where on it. Out of the mouths of babes!

Perhaps it’s because she also said it made her feel like she was on vacation in Florida again. Regardless, it has great style. Sometimes simple speaks volumes and I’m confident that this dress represents just that. As much into fashion that Alexis is she went and grabbed her jean jacket and a pair of pink flip flops to accessorize; she looked so unbelievably cute.

My biggest disappointment was not being able to let her wear that outside as the weather is still very cold here in the St. Louis area. C’mon Spring!

If the Estelle dress is any indication of what is to come of the 2010 Spring line from PinkChicken.com I can not wait to see what else they have come up with. I love originality and PinkChicken.com gives us just that…and then some. Finally - someone gets it! And from the look on my daughter’s face you can tell that she’s thrilled about that!

Disclosure: Per the FTC regulations and guidelines it is my duty to disclose that I did receive a product, for free, so a review could be completed. Receiving a product for free does not alter my opinion as stated here on Unconditional Mom. 

REVIEW: FaBOWlous.com

PEPPERMINT PRINCESS TUTU

Alexis has been taking dance lessons for two years now; ballet, tap and jazz. In this time, I’ve run across a lot of tutu’s. There is something about a tutu that just takes that already cute quality that our daughters have and multiplies it by ten.

Yet, there are those select few that are everything you visualize when someone mentions the word tutu. Fabowlous.com figured out precisely what it takes to make that extra-special tutu that would make any person smile at the cute-factor it presents.

These are absolutely stunning; there is no other word!

The Fabowlous.com tutu’s are not just made for those tiny dancer’s though. Any child can wear them and do so in fabulous style. You can put them over a pair of jeans or leggings and have the fashionista in your child shine through.

A well-made and quality tutu is difficult to find without paying a pretty penny for them - and believe me… I can say that from personal experience. I, personally, find their tutu’s being a great price and honestly intend to purchase more as time goes on. Alexis didn’t take her’s off without some serious coaxing on my part; she was dancing around for hours putting on pretend shows for the world to see.

I love the concept of keeping it as a keepsake. Fabowlous.com sends these tutu’s in a tube so your daughter can save them for their own daughter later on. If they want to wear it, in the meantime, you simply take it out and give it a good shake to poof it up. Fabowlous.com recommends putting it in the dryer for 5-10 minutes to do this, but I didn’t and it poofed up really well. See pictures below:

 

Each tutu is currently shipped free of charge and with a free matching hair clip. I have a funny feeling this tutu will be the selected outfit in a near future photo session. How can I resist? I want to capture this for a lifetime
.

INTERCHANGEABLE HEADBANDS

Alexis & I also had a chance to review Fabowlous.com new line of interchangeable headbands. These are so creative and stylish. It’s a headband that you can either wear alone or with a flower clip. You can make any combination from the selection that they have available on their website.

They add such a perfect accessory to any girls outfit who loves to dress casually or dress-up in their Sunday best. Not only was I an instant fan, but Alexis couldn’t wait to put it on. Again I had to coax her out of it, but that didn’t last long… she had it back on her head within a matter of minutes.

If you’re wondering if they are easily interchangeable the answer is an astounding… yes! It’s a simple, yet sturdy, clip that you can put on and take off with absolute ease. The flower clips can even go into your daughters hair, without the headband, and they stay put. Alexis has straight, fine hair (as you can see in the picture to your left, and the flower clip stayed in with no problems. None of that, “Come here honey let me fix your clip” stuff again; whew!

We even got a little creative and added an additional flower clip to the headband to see what it would look like with two. Here is the result:

Now if you’re curious if the flowers are a fake and cheap brand - don’t concern yourself with that. They obviously don’t have the feel of a real flower, but they are soft and look realistic which makes them all the more adorable. I truly love this and do plan on getting more flower clips so Alexis can continue to accessorize her outfits. My miniature fashionista wouldn’t have it any other way.

Disclosure: Per the FTC regulations and guidelines it is my duty to disclose that I did receive a product, for free, so a review could be completed. Receiving a product for free does not alter my opinion as stated here on Unconditional Mom. 

REVIEW: Piggy Paint

Moms, do you remember when you were a little girl and you couldn’t wait to paint your fingernails for the first time with your own kid polish? There was nothing better than the idea of knowing you could paint your nails and make them pretty. Now our little girls, granddaughters, nieces, little sisters, etc. are following in our footsteps with the same fascination.

What if I told you that there was something about solvent-based children’s fingernail polish that isn’t common knowledge? And what if I mentioned that it isn’t something you would like to hear? I want to share part of a story with you told by the founder of Piggy Paint - Melanie Hurley.

One day while we were painting nails over a foam plate, my daughter dropped a glob of her solvent-based polish onto the plate. Shortly after, the paint began to bubble and “ate” through the plate. I looked in dismay at the hole in the plate and decided to test all of her other “kid” polishes on the foam. Within minutes, ALL of the solvent-based polishes began to bubble and eventually left big holes in the plate. From that day on, I decided that any flammable substance that could eat through foam was unacceptable for my children’s fingernails, which would inevitably end up in their mouths.

This inspired Melanie to create something that would be safe for her daughters to use and today that product is known as Piggy Paint.


Piggy Paint is:
1. Hypoallergenic
2. Odorless
3. Has no toxic chemicals

It’s as Natural as Mud!

  

Suited for a little girls imagination with such fun names as, “Clouds of Candy”, “Forever Fancy” and more. 

Alexis recently had the opportunity to try their “Girls Rule!” color. This is such a pretty color of Piggy Paint that even I contemplated wearing it; contemplated. Seeing this color, along with the options available on the PiggyPaint.com website, I could tell that they have only selected colors that little girls would love to adorn their fingernails with.

In fact, I was semi-jealous as I realized that no one had anything remotely similar to these colors when I was Alexis’ age. Our options were “Rose Red” or “Grandma’s Pink Lipstick” - you get the idea. And it was always that cheap polish that would peel off the moment you took a bath or otherwise.

Alexis absolutely loves this nail polish. She loves putting it on, she loves wearing it and she loves taking it off so she can do it all over again. Truth be told, I believe she may have now become a lil’ Piggy Paint Princess, who will now only adorn her nails with that of which is only fit for princesses around the world.

Mother Approved: I’m definitely a fan of Piggy Paint as well. It’s comforting to know that there is something safe on her nails and it  won’t harm her if she puts her fingers in her mouth… or reverts back to her old bad habit of biting her nails. Perhaps this will assist me in reminding her that she’ll mess up her nails if she bites them. Now that’s an idea!

Both of these pictures were taken at Tori Spelling’s daughter, Stella’s, 1st Birthday party. You can see all of the pictures, including those with little one’s wearing Piggy Paint, at this location. They are copyright to the PiggyPaint.com website.

EXCLUSIVE UNCONDITIONAL MOM DISCOUNT:
All readers of Unconditional Mom can utilize a special 15% off discount on the PiggyPaint.com website using the code, “UncondMom15″, at checkout. That’s a wonderful opportunity that I’m grateful Melanie has offered and encourage all of you to take advantage of.

Disclaimer: It is my duty to disclose that I received one bottle of Piggy Paint and one bottle of Piggy Paint Remover for review purposes only.

2010 Birthday Gift Guide: For Children

Starting January 16th, 2010 until February 16th, 2010 Unconditional Mom will be holding a new type of Gift Guide. My daughter will be celebrating her 5th birthday on February 16th and in honor of such a huge milestone in her life we will be celebrating it with all of you.

Please note that this will be taking place on the original Unconditional Mom blog (as we are still transferring items over to this blog). You can get to the original blog by clicking on the following link:

http://anunconditionalmom.blog.com/category/2010-childrens-birthday-gift-guide/

Unconditional Mom is gearing up lots of contests, sponsored by numerous companies, so that you may win birthday presents as well. That’s right, what Alexis gets, you can also win! In the meantime we hope to give you some insight into what gifts you can get your own children for their 2010 birthday; particularly those little girls in your life.

To keep up-to-date, please sign-up for the Unconditional Mom Newsletter.